Andrea N. Winder

Andrea Winder is an Associate Attorney at Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., where she practices criminal defense at both the state and federal level, as well as family law. 

Attorney Winder attended law school at Stetson College of Law in Florida, where she took advantage of its #1 nationally ranked trial advocacy program by competing in and coaching mock trial and other advocacy competitions. Upon returning to Wisconsin, she interned for two circuit court judges, as well as the Green County District Attorney’s Office. That internship permitted her to handle hearings and trials under the supervision of prosecutors, allowing her to gain valuable insight into the practices and procedures they use when prosecuting cases. 

Shortly after passing the Wisconsin bar exam, Attorney Winder founded her own defense firm and primarily represented indigent defendants who faced charges ranging from low level misdemeanors to high level felonies. As a young lawyer, she quickly developed a reputation within the legal community for being tenacious and skilled beyond her years. After being barred only two years, she earned the “Rising Star” award by Super Lawyers for her criminal defense work, a recognition limited to 2.5% of attorneys in the State of Wisconsin, and she has continued to receive it every year since.

Six years into her career, Andrea’s caseload now consists largely of high-level felonies, including child sexual assault and homicide. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School and serves on the executive committee of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. 

Criminal defense lawyers serve as guardians of the constitutional rights guaranteed to all of us. Andrea takes that role very seriously, and her results at motion hearings and trials reflect that. She is assertive and passionate in her advocacy while at the same time demonstrating the poise, preparedness, and proficiency required to effectively navigate all stages of a case up to and beyond trial.

Andrea believes that maintaining regular communication with her clients throughout the process is paramount to help alleviate the stress of the navigating the court system as much as possible.